My son will never know how much I had to do to keep him healthy and thriving.

My soon-to-be daughter will never understand how much I have to do to keep her growing while my own body freaks out.

And you know what?

It’s okay.

I don’t understand all the intricacies of what my own parents did day in and day out to provide the life for me that I had.

There’s no way I could fully understand.

So then I think about my spiritual heritage.

All 16 of my great-great-great grandparents on my mom’s side joined the church at some point, usually at a great physical or financial sacrifice.

And I’ve got a similar spiritual heritage on my father’s side.

I will never fully understand what they had to give up, the hard decisions they had to make, and the cost of their consistency and devotion to the gospel.

And it’s okay that I don’t fully understand (although I love learning their stories and trying!).

What Joseph Smith sacrificed to bring forth the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and numerous other revelations that have quite literally brought salvation to millions across the world, is incomprehensible.

He sacrificed his own life for the cause.

I will never fully understand what that is like.

And I will never fully understand what my Savior Jesus Christ did for me, and continues to do for me.

I learn, I study, I receive blessings, and I get little glimpses into what He has done.

But I’ll never truly “get it”.

Not understanding the extreme sacrifices of our predecessors is a natural, short-sighted, human thing to do.

But that doesn’t excuse me from the opportunity to be grateful.

To reflect on what my family members, both near and far, have done for me. To ponder on the prophet Joseph and other spiritual leaders. And to revere my Savior for His great atoning sacrifice and continued, sustaining help.

I will never fully understand all the sacrifices made to give me the plethora of privileges I enjoy.

But I can still learn about them and feel extreme gratitude for those who have given me my firm foundation.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Sacrifice and privilege first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

He probably would have been a farmer. Probably wouldn’t have received any more education than he did. He was pretty charismatic and passionate, so I’m sure he would have gotten involved in some groups or causes.

And yet, because of his calling, his words, prophecies, and teachings have been studied for 200 years by millions of people.

Does the Doctrine and Covenants make you think Joseph Smith was totally perfect and the best ever?

Not me.

In fact, this year, I’ve really been struck by how often Joseph was corrected by the Lord.

But most revelations we’ve read haven’t even made mention of Joseph.

Although Joseph Smith was not perfect, I think he did a pretty-near perfect job at using every privilege that God blessed him with to point others towards the gospel.

And not to point people to himself.

What blessings and privileges do you have right now?

You might not think you are very #blessed right now.

But do you have the blessing of having children?

Do you have the blessing of being married?

Do you have the blessing of having friends?

Do you have the blessing of having a church calling or ministering assignment?

Do you have the privilege of working or volunteering somewhere?

The list goes on.

“For unto this end have I raised you up, that I might show forth my wisdom through the weak things of the earth.” D&C 124:1

We are weak things without God!

And every blessing, every privilege, every platform we have been so graciously blessed with should be used to point people, our children, our students, our spouses, our friends, all back to Christ.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Our privilege is for Jesus first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.